For any database access perl can use the DBI module which provides a uniform access towards the database (any type of database).
You have to combine the DBI with the rightfull DBD.

Sounds hard, but you can find all on http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/dbi.html
Explanations on how to use it ...http://www.danchan.com/feature/2000/10/16/mysql/mysql.htm

Suc6,

Frans.

Edited by BazB: linkified links and added formatting